I home educate - my DS has never been to school - AMA

[OvertheUnicornRainbow]

My DS is almost 13, always been home-educated and is thriving. Ask me anything

@Janet - he has taught himself a lot - like how to read - and continues to study independently. But he is taught as well!

@LaLaLandIsNoFun - it used to bother me a lot! Now I ignore it!

Half a dozen GCSEs by 16 doesn't sound much for a supposedly academic kid. That's the workload of a non-academic kid. Why aren't you stretching him?

It sounds like you all feel it’s working well and your DS is thriving. It’s so nice to hear about as I know nothing about HE and find it fascinating.

I know he’s only 13 but has he got any ideas about what kind of job he’s like to do in the future?

@Savingshoes - it definitely feels that way. They love to learn - no standing over needed! Although they have their individual passions. When he was younger it varied a lot more what he was learning but now he is of an age he is interested in the academic subjects.
@recordbox - all autistic children are different - you did what was right for yours I chose the right setting for mine and the HV agreed. You and your children might need school to learn - we don't.

@Tombakersscarf - well, I could turn that around and say most parents don't give D.C. a chance to try home-ed and guaranteed some would prefer it! We all make choices for our DC in their best interests. However my DS has never wanted to go to school but the choice is there.
@titchyP -,true!

@atankofskunks - there's more to life than GCSEs (for home ed kids, anyway). Obviously he will be studying some subjects more in-depth than a GCSE and following passions outside of GCSE subjects.

@atankofskunks - yes, he studies independently and also attends classes etc

What classes does he attend?

@Ginnymweasley - my DS has a lot of social and attends classes too a bit like being at Uni - so I think he'll be fine. He will have been to college before that, too. He does different things on different days. Some days with me or his dad, some at classes, some with friends. He does tests to check understanding. There are so many resources out there you don't need to teach it all yourself.

janemaster - some are GCSE classes. His Art class is Arts Award.

there's more to life than GCSEs (for home ed kids, anyway). Obviously he will be studying some subjects more in-depth than a GCSE and following passions outside of GCSE subjects*

Well that depends on what future you want for him OP. Most children follow passions outside of GCSEs- dancing, sports, music lessons etc. That's not exclusive to GCSEs. You were very keen to share your own educational prowess re your ten GCSEs and masters degree whilst making it far harder for your son to be able to achieve the same.

I'm appalled actually at the idea of a 13 year old studying "independently" while you work full time.

@janemaster - not sure what it is like where you are but here there is a massive home-ed community - he has met/still meets with lots of different kids. So most friends are from home-ed circles and a few from hobbies.

Arts award is not an art qualification as such OP. It's an extra thing that many pupils do as an extra curricular activity. It is certainly not an indication of a skill or knowledge level in an arts subject.

So he is going to 2 GCSE classes and an Arts class?

I home educated both my dcs they are both autistic/ Adhd. I can only comment on my experience but school has had a massively detrimental affect on their mental health and I wish I have never sent them. And it was a very supportive school. After 6 months they are thriving and will socialise, we have had friends round all thought half term.

@janemaster - khan academy is great for explaining things - I've used it lots as an adult.

@atankofskunks - how exactly am I depriving him of a proper education? He works a year or more ahead in his studies so seems his education is achieving its aims!

I thought you were not sure about what GCSEs he was going to do but now you say he is going to 2 GCSE classes.

Because he is very unlikely to get the collection of GCSEs that you have OP, or to have any kind of breadth in what he learns. He will learn only what you have knowledge of or that he already has an interest in.

My daughter (the same age as your son) is currently on her way back from Europe after a week away with her school. Your son won't, I imagine, experience that degree of independence.

You are limiting his options- and four GCSE and an arts award will limit them even further.

@Titchy- I don't need to stretch him - he has the motivation to do that himself. He's working at GCSE level in some subjects now and will probably take some exams next year. But of course he studies in much more depth these subjects and much wider than just GCSE sybjects. No point in limiting yourself by just studying GCSEs if you don't have to.

@seaviewbliss - he'd like to be a teacher or librarian.

On what basis would he like to be a teacher- having never been in a school environment OP?

I don't need to stretch him*

Absolute nonsense OP and a clear indication that you have no idea what education means.

@janemaster - he does English GCSE and Maths GCSE, Science, 2 Art classes and Karate.